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Controversial corridor faces new hurdle

By Rachel Youens Monday, 07 May 2007 00:00

Texas Legislature considers transportation funding options as TxDOT privatizes projects

Trans-Texas Corridor is a small term that encompasses a large number of projects. It is not merely a single road but an amendment to the Texas Transportation Code that has introduced an unprecedented system for highway funding. Now two bills, one currently in the House and one in the Senate, are questioning whether the TTC’s bold ideas are helping or hurting Texas drivers.

By definition

The Trans-Texas Corridor is not a road, or even a network of roads, but simply legislation. In 2003, Gov. Rick Perry signed House Bill 3588, responsible for the Trans-Texas Corridor, into law, providing for private funding of public roads, large-scale tolling and the eminent domain of land.

One of the TTC’s main proponents, and an author of the bill, is Rep. Mike Krusee of Williamson County. Krusee, chairman of the House Committee on Transportation, said he wrote the bill broadly to give local government many tools to address congestion.

“The 20th-century model for transportation growth will not suffice for the 21st century,” Krusee said in his 2003 statement of purpose for the bill. “Motor fuel taxes are declining per mile traveled on the state’s highways, and as a result the construction of new highways cannot keep pace with demand.”

Project funding

The verdict is still out on whether it is an inspired solution or the source of more problems.

In the past, highway construction was funded through a rise in the state gas tax, but the gas tax has not increased in 16 years, while the number of people on Texas roads has grown by over 5.5 million in that time.

“The National Highway Trust Fund is scheduled to be insolvent in 2009,” Krusee said. “The state has invited the private sector to be its partner because the state lacks the revenues to address new growth on its own. The state needs private sector funds because the legislature has refused to dedicate adequate public funds.”

The Texas Department of Transportation signed a $3.5 million planning agreement with Spanish engineering and construction firm Cintra-Zachry in 2005. Although this is only an agreement for planning, in exchange for Cintra-Zachry’s $6 billion investment in a four-lane, 316-mile road between Dallas and San Antonio and another $1.2 billion for rights to that road, Cintra-Zachry would reap the toll concession for the next 50 years, according to the document’s language.

In addition to the use of tolls to fund new roads, TTC also allows existing roads to be tolled. It is this use of pre-existing roads, built using gas tax, to suddenly raise toll revenue that has caused some to lash out, calling it a “double tax.”

Already TxDOT has proposed managed, tolled lanes along MoPac. At an April 12 meeting, TxDOT explained how the managed lanes would work similar to High Occupancy Vehicle lanes, but people would pay to use these faster, less crowded lanes based on the amount of traffic at the time. The tolls collected here would be aimed more at easing congestion rather than raising revenue. These managed lanes are also being considered along IH 35 and US 183, according to the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s 2030 plan.

Bills fight the TTC

When the TTC passed the House and the Senate in 2003, it did so with a vote of 146 to 0 and 31 to 0, respectively. Four years later, bills limiting the powers of the TTC have passed both the House and Senate with votes of 137 to 2 and 30 to 0.

This new legislation, House Bills 1892 and 2772, and Senate Bill 1267, put a two-year moratorium to new toll roads, allows individual cities more control over how TTC affects them and gives more consideration to privatization.

Some attribute the political dynamics of the 78th Legislature in 2003 as the reason the TTC legislation was passed.

“If you remember, the hot topic was redistricting,” said David Stall, former city manager of Columbus, Texas and head of the transportation watchdog group Corridor Watch. “We had legislators off in Oklahoma, and that pushed other legislation to move quickly and with not even a normal amount of review. It was a large bill, well over 300 pages, and it passed in a few hours with little debate.”

Even after passing, the bills must be signed by Gov. Perry, a supporter of the TTC. However, a two-thirds majority in the House and Senate could override his veto, and current support for the bills indicates this could be possible.

“I’m thankful that we finished SH 130, SH 45, SH 183A and the MoPac extension when we did because the moratoriums would have had a devastating impact on Williamson County,” said Krusee, one of the two who voted against HB 1892. “It is wrong for the Legislature to take away their only tool for desperately needed new capacity while refusing to generate any new revenue for roads.”

Other possibilities

Regardless of whether the reigns are put on the TTC, Texas is still left in a transportation bind. If money isn’t coming from tolls, then it must come from somewhere, so one place legislators are looking is the gas tax.

Krusee has filed a bill, House Bill 9962, to allow the gas tax to rise with the inflation rate, and in the Senate, another bill would similarly raise the gas tax by the need for transportation funds. Texas’ gas tax ranks in the middle for state gas taxes at 20 cents, with New York the highest at 33 cents and Alaska the lowest at 8 cents.

“It’s unrealistic to lock in a revenue in 1991 and not have it grow,” Stall said. “How many people could pay their rent today if their income got locked in 1991? In the pursuit of ‘no new taxes,’ the legislators have created a shadow tax in tolling.”

Trans-Texas Corridor

The TTC concept includes a statewide network of routes with TTC 35 and I-69 as two of the specific projects. As envisioned, each route will include:

• separate lanes for passenger vehicles and large trucks
• freight railways
• high-speed commuter railways
• infrastructure for utilities including water lines, oil and gas pipelines, and transmission lines for electricity and broadband and other telecommunication.

Plans call for the TTC to be completed in phases during the next 50 years, with routes prioritized according to Texas’ transportation needs. TxDOT will oversee planning, construction and ongoing maintenance, although private vendors will be responsible for much of the daily operations.

TTC Timeline

• 2003
  • The Texas Senate, House and Gov. Rick Perry approve House Bill 3588, The Trans-Texas Corridor.
  • Work begins on the Central Texas Turnpike, which includes Toll 130, Toll 45 and the extension of MoPac. These projects are funded by bonds, federal funding and through the private investment of Lone Star Infrastructure.
• 2005
  • Work begins on 183A Toll. It is the Central Texas Regional Mobilty Authority’s first project and is partly funded by private investment.
  • TxDOT signs a $3.5 million contract with Spanish company Cintra-Zachry for planning and rights to concessions on TTC 35.
• 2007
  • Legislation is introduced both in the Texas Senate and the House modifying the power of the Trans-Texas Corridor.

Source: www.keeptexasmoving.org

I-69

• This massive project encompasses eight states and covers 1,600 miles from Shreveport or Texarkana to Mexico. The route has not been finalized.
• Planners have divided I - 69 into 15 stand-alone sections that could serve a transit function even if the other sections were not built or connected.

TTC 35

• The corridor for TTC 35 generally parallels IH 35 and is approximately 600 miles long, extending from north of Dallas to Mexico.
• No construction contracts have been signed, but in March 2005 TxDOT did sign a contract with Spanish company Cintra-Zachry for a comprehensive development agreement. This contract only authorizes a $3.5 million planning effort.
• In September, the Master Development Plan was unveiled, which shows the phasing and implementation, seen here. TxDOT is now awaiting the results of an environmental study to refine the master plan. This study should come out this summer. Ultimately, the Federal Highway Administration will have the final say on TTC 35.
• The master plan anticipates construction beginning by 2011.

Understanding HB 3588

• Beyond simply a road project, the TTC is broad and also encompasses rail, roads and facilities.
• Since Spring 2004, TXDOT has held 171 public meetings to take input on the route of the TTC 35, with the last meeting held in Summer 2006 with more than 6,000 comments submitted. You can submit your comments or questions here, www.keeptexasmoving.org/comments_questions/.
• When tolling started along Toll 45 in January many were surprised to find that emergency and police vehicles were not exempt from paying unless they were in the act of responding to an incident.
• Some landowners have expressed worry that this language allows land adjacent to the corridor to be bought through eminent domain and then resold to developers for private enterprise. TxDOT has said they cannot acquire this property unless it directly benefits transportation projects.
• Not only does the TTC allow for creation of new toll roads, but the tolling of pre-existing roads, such the the addition of tolled, managed lanes along Capital of Texas Highway. Some have called this double taxing as state roads have already been paid for through the gas tax.

Contact your representative

• Kirk Watson, Senator District 14, 463-0114, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Steve Ogden, Senator District 5, 463-0105, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Dan Gattis Representative District 20, 463-0309, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Mark Strama, Representative District 50, 463-0821, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Mike Krusee Representative District 52, 463-0670, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

A mayor without a vote

By Christi Snow Monday, 07 May 2007 00:00

Purpose of elected official’s responsibilities examined

In Round Rock, the mayor has a vote on the local city council. So do the mayors of Austin, Cedar Park and Leander—but that is not true in Pflugerville.

Voters will choose between Jeff Coleman and Rod Reyna to replace Mayor Cat Callen May 12. While Callen said the lack of a vote did not play a role in her decision to leave office without a second bid, she would like to see some change.

“Historically, the mayor’s race has the greatest turnout, so clearly voters do expect their mayor to have the ability to lead, and one way they could do that would be with a vote,” she said.

The mayor has never had a vote, except to break a tie. When the community first became incorporated, Pflugerville was a general law city, which meant state law determined the city’s structure.

Then in 1993, the city had the option of redefining the mayor’s responsibilities when Pflugerville wrote their first Home Rule Charter.

Clarence Bohls served more than 20 years as a council member, mayor and city administrator. He chaired the commission that crafted the charter and remembers the transition.

Home rules

Pflugerville could not opt for home rule until the population reached at least 5,000, but when that happened, the city decided to define its government with the help of an 18-member charter commission.

They agreed the mayor would help prepare council meeting agendas, sign government documents authorized or enacted by the council, serve as a representative head of Pflugerville, provide initiative and guidance in city growth and only vote at council meetings to break a tie.

Bohls said they considered allowing the mayor to have a vote, but ruled instead they wanted to neutralize the council as much as possible.

A vote, in addition to all the other mayoral influences, might give one party too much authority.

“We didn’t want a personal agenda to be pushed through,” he said. “We tried to strip the mayor position of that ability.”

Cliff Avery, who served on the city council in the early ’90s, recalls the charter commission made its decision because of issues with the current government.

“There was not enough confidence in the mayor at the time to give him a vote,” he said.

According to Avery, the city had just elected a mayor in 1992 who soon became a controversial figure, as the community questioned his ethics and explosive temper.

“I remember sitting there and looking at the eyes of the people on the council and commission there and realizing there was no way they were going to give this guy a vote,” he said.

However, even without a vote, some mayors found a way to further their personal ambitions from the dais, an action which the charter declares illegal, according to Bohls. In retrospect, he said the commission should have also included an enforcement clause because mayors do not have repercussions for their actions.

“The mayors are here today and gone tomorrow after serving their terms,” he said. “They raise our taxes and then don’t stay and don’t pay any of that.”

Current voices

Both of the present candidates say they plan to stay in the city long-term and express optimism for Pflugerville’s future—as long as it has appropriate leadership. As for no vote on council, they have also considered the repercussions of that reality.

Reyna does not know whether he would want a vote or not. Before giving an opinion, he said he would need to look at the ramifications and ask the council members. With or without a vote, he regards the elected position he wants to fill as valuable.

“The mayor is the voice of the people,” he said. “He represents all the people and brings their issues to the table. He guides and moderates discussion. You have a lot of ways to guide a vote. You can invite people, guide meetings and involve the city staff. You make sure everyone is on the same page. Who else can do that, but the mayor? It’s a very important role to me.”

The lack of a vote almost swayed Coleman to run for a council position instead of for mayor, but like Reyna, he believes the mayor can greatly influence city direction.

“Ultimately, you become the face for the city,” he said. “That’s where my strength is. I am good at bringing people together and that’s why I decided to run for mayor. Do I wish I had a vote? Yes.”

Considering charter changes

As far as altering the charter for the mayor to get a vote, nothing can change for at least four years because the document requires review every five years, Avery said.

In 2006, the Council appointed a commission to review the document, but Avery, who sat on the committee, said many of his colleagues did not seem interested in drastic rewriting.

“Most of the differences were cosmetic to comply with state law,” he said. “They were not really substantive. There was not an overhaul such as adding another council member or giving the mayor a vote. That is what big cities do. It is the way real cities do. That is the way it should have gone.”

In Bohls’ opinion, the mayor still does not need a vote. Instead, the city just needs an enforcement clause regarding personal agendas. He said he brought his thoughts to the last charter review, but received little feedback.

“I don’t think the current mayor, council and city manager are interested in enforcement laws,” he said.

Others who have served the community take a more neutral stance. Doyle Bridgefarmer, who served as mayor from 1999 to 2001, did not think the vote was necessary to the city, although he would support an effort to change it.

“It’s not a detriment either way,” he said. “It is just a vote would make the mayor more responsible to the people and would have to give an actual statement of their belief.”

Past Pflugerville mayors:

• I.B. Krienke (1965-1974)
• Loren Orme (1975-1976)
• Clarence Bohls (1976-1981)
• Edwin Hocker (1982)
• A.G. Saegert (1982-1984)
• Ben Boyd (1984-1985)
• John Franklin (1986-1987)
• Scott Winton (1988-1991)
• Haywood Ware (1992-1997)
• Doyle Bridgefarmer (1998-2001)
• Scott Winton (2001-2004)
• Cat Callen (2004-2007)

Compare the mayor: Local structure of the office

Pflugerville

• Term length – Three years
• Term limit – Three terms
• Salary – None
• Votes only to break a tie
• City Council - Six members, including the mayor
  • - Elected at large

Round Rock

• Term Length – Three years
• Term Limit – None
• Salary – $750 each month
• Vote on council
• City Council - Seven members, including the mayor
  • - Elected at large

Austin

Will Wynn

• Term length – Three years
• Term limit – Two terms
• Salary - $52,998.40
• Vote on council
• City Council - Seven members, including the mayor
  • - Elected at large

Cedar Park

Bob Lemon

• Term length – Two years
• Term limit – Two terms
• Salary – None
• Vote on council
• City Council - Seven members, including the mayor
  • - Elected at large

Georgetown

Gary Nelon

• Term length – Three years
• Term limit – None
• Salary – $350 each month
• Votes only to break a tie
• City Council - Eight members, including the mayor
  • - Mayor elected at large, council members by district

Leander

John Cowman

• Term length – Three years
• Term limit – None
• Salary – None
• Vote on council
• City Council - Seven members, including the mayor
  • - Elected at large

Publisher's Note - May, 2007

By John Garrett Monday, 07 May 2007 00:00

Community changes require citizen involvement and attention

It is hard to believe it is already time for another election May 12. I write this with eyes on the future of Pflugerville. How will the city evolve? It is certainly at a crossroads and this election is important to watch. Two candidates are running for mayor and two running for city council. It is necessary that residents take the time to decide who will lead their city and vote for their choice.

Major changes are coming to the region, and with it, major infrastructural demands such as roads and rail. Transportation issues are one of the things we pride ourselves on covering well.

Many people have asked me about the Trans-Texas Corridor – and with all the projects going on around us it is no wonder the issue is confusing. Anyone who lives or works in our coverage area needs to know about this topic.

There are a lot of questions about the future of newspapers. We continue to believe if we give people the information they want in an easy to read format, they will read and appreciate it.

We have tried with this issue to make things a little easier to read without sacrificing the quality of our content. Flexibility and innovation are big factors in our ability to grow as a company.

Part of our growth also has led to new professional opportunities for our staff. We began with three employees in September 2005 and now have 19.

One of those employees is Sara Aleman, who beginning in May, will serve as our Round Rock/Pflugerville General Manager. Sara is a Round Rock resident with a lot of ties to Pflugerville. I think you will appreciate her desire to continue our mission.

John P. Garrett

Pagel & Sons Jewelers

By Christi Snow Monday, 07 May 2007 00:00

Attention to individual clients sustains business

From ornate globes to simple charms to diamond rings, an array of jeweled items line the shelves of Pagel & Sons Jewelers.

Opened in 1990, the store offers a full line of customer service from jewelry repair to design to ready-to-sell pieces. The family’s trade experience stretches back to just after the end of World War II.

“We’ve been around for a long time,” owner Ronnie Pagel said. “We’re not here and gone tomorrow.”

The Pagels’ history in the jewelry business began after Ronnie’s uncle contracted polio, paralyzing most of his body. The state sent him to watch repair school to learn a trade he could do with his hands, which he then taught his younger brother, Floyd Pagel.

When Floyd was a Senior in high school, he was asked to manage a jewelry store in Killeen, but he would have to drop out of school before graduation. Floyd, Ronnie’s father, took the offer, and in 1946, bought the store.

Ronnie was born two years later. As he grew up, he learned some trade skills, but decided not to join the jewelry business after watching his father work 70 to 80 hours a week. Instead, he joined the Navy until his discharge in September 1972. By then the family’s business had become more attractive.

“I had matured some and realized you’re not going to get something for nothing,” Ronnie said.

The revamped father-son team became Pagel and Sons Jewelers in 1973. Now, more than 30 years later, Ronnie still enjoys the business, although he admits it is not uncommon to work 70 hours in a week, just like his father did.

The business operates with a small staff of three employees, along with Ronnie and his wife Joyce. It is their ability to work individually with clients that keeps his business thriving, he believes.

Often, they sell products that may not bring in as much money, but it is a “convenience to the customers,” Ronnie said. It is not always about selling the most valuable item. It is about customer service.

He views customer service as the basis for good business because many of their new clients come from referrals.

“We pride ourselves on the belief that we treat customers the same whether they’re buying something that is a $25, a $2,500 or a $25,000 item,” he said. “You can have the peace of mind that we’re going to be there.”

Custom design pieces often take four to six weeks for completion. Projects can range from business owners who want to incorporate their logo into a design to championship rings.

The Process

1. Drawing is sketched after customer gives general idea.
2. Customer decides on materials used. Sometimes clients bring their own stones or other elements.
3. Wax model is built.
4. Customer proofs design.
5. Piece is built with gold or platinum.
6. Jewels are added.
7. Piece is finished for customer inspection.

Pagel & Sons Jewelers, 110 N. IH 35, Round Rock, TX 78681, 512-388-4653

Impact Round Rock - May 2007

Monday, 07 May 2007 00:00

1. Women’s health club

Liberty Fitness, a women’s health club, will celebrate the opening of its first location in Round Rock with a Wellness, Health and Spa Expo May 10 at 2000 S. IH 35 next to Hastings. Activities include wine tasting, hand treatments, a women’s self-defense workshop and cooking demonstrations. Guests also have a chance to receive more than $1,200 in door prizes. For more information, call 339-8392 or visit www.libertyfitness.com/roundrocktx.asp.

2. Free health classes

St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center and the Lone Star Circle of Care now offer monthly diabetes education classes at Lone Star Circle of Care’s Health and Wellness Center at 2120 N. Mays. Provided in both English and Spanish, the three-hour classes will be free to Williamson County residents. Lone Star Circle of Care will also hold classes on prenatal care, asthma and nutrition. Attendees must register in advance. To register, call LeTanya Mitchell at 868-1124 ext. 250.

3. Charity golf tournament

The Knights of Columbus Council #12148 of St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Round Rock will host the Sixth Annual Charity Golf Tournament May 19 at Forest Creek Golf Club. The goal is to raise $20,000 with Round Rock Area Serving Center as the major beneficiary. For more information, call Jack Gaden at 434-1109 or Bruce Bessner at 671-7526.

4. Pregnancy crisis center event

Attendees of the May 11 Round Rock Express game who donate a baby gift will receive free berm tickets to the game that night.

The gifts will benefit Agape Pregnancy Center, 104 E. Main Ave. Baby items needed (new only) include items such as diapers, wipes, receiving blankets, infant toys and soap. Drop-off times will be 5:30 p.m. until the Sixth inning at the Agape trailer in front of Dell Diamond.

5. Sporting goods center relocates

Action Sporting Goods recently relocated from Cedar Park to 204-A Texas Ave. The retail store supplies many of the uniforms and baseball supplies to the local high school baseball teams. For more information, call 610-2024.

6. Book sale

The Friends of the Round Rock Library will host their semi-annual book sale May 12, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 216 E. Main St. Attendees can purchase book genres ranging from children, teens, adult fiction, romance, mystery, reference, crafts and books on tape. For more information, call 218-7000.

7. Discount cleaners

A 1.99 Cleaners opened at 16420 RM 620. The business offers $1.99 dry cleaning service for any garment and $1.29 for laundered shirts. Clothing brought by 9 a.m. will receive same day service. For more information, call 671-4747.

8. Community deaf event

Keria Teas at 204 E. Main Ave. will host the first monthly Deaf Chat for the deaf community May 11 at 7 p.m. Anyone is welcome, whether deaf or hearing, who has an interest in learning sign language. The event is free. For more information, call 255-3742 or visit www.keriateas.com.

9. New pizza place

Rocca’s Pizza has opened at 920 E. Palm Valley Blvd. offering California-style gourmet pizza and pastas. With 30 years in the restaurant business, the owners use only family recipes and fresh ingredients. For take out, delivery or catering information, call 246-3451.

10. Hispanic festival

El Amistad Club has moved its 38th Fiesta Amistad, the largest Hispanic two-day event in Central Texas, to the McConico/Baca Municipal complex, 301 W. Bagdad. Last year the club gave $71,000 in scholarships to 93 students at the Memorial weekend event. For schedules of events, visit www.elamistadclub.com.

News or questions about Round Rock? E-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Kut Klose Barbershop

By Katherine Kennedy Monday, 07 May 2007 00:00

Small-town atmosphere creates loyal customers

Relaxation and light-hearted conversation set the mood at Kut Klose Barbershop. The small-town style barbershop generally attracts male clients, but welcomes anyone who walks through the door.

“Our shop is for the whole family, including women and children. We want everyone to feel comfortable, get involved in our conversations and take part in the shop’s atmosphere,” barber and owner Jamar Crenshaw said. “Just because we cater to mostly males does not mean we want women to feel uncomfortable here. We make sure to greet everyone who walks in the door to make them feel welcome. This is not the normal intimidating male barbershop.”

As a young entrepreneur, Crenshaw dreamed of owning a barbershop for the past 10 years. He opened last year in Pflugerville’s Grand Avenue Office Park because of the central location and easy access for customers.

“I was working as a barber in Wells Branch when I decided to open my shop,” Crenshaw said. “I wanted to stay in the area to cater to my clients’ needs who were mostly from the Pflugerville, Round Rock, Cedar Park and Hutto areas.”

He designed Kut Klose to stand apart from most barbershops with easy appointment scheduling and payment methods.

Many customers have standing appointments and come the same day and time every week or month. They also have the option to pre-pay if it is more convenient.

“Clients can come in on their lunch break and know that they will be taken care of on their limited time schedule. At a traditional shop, they would be waiting all day for a cut,” Crenshaw said. “We operate by appointments, and always keep them — this means no waiting in line for our customers. Time is money for many of our clients, and we don’t want to waste their time or lose their money.”

Just like a small town barbershop, Crenshaw considers himself a mediator and a counselor. He says his goal is for all of his customers to walk out of his shop smiling.

“At work, people are stressed and uptight. Here, they can laugh and relax. We want our customers to want to come back, and to tell their friends to come here,” Crenshaw said. “Most barbershops are stiff, and only care about the money. We care about our clients and try to cater to their needs.”

Open: Tuesday – Saturday, by appointment

Price list:

• Men’s haircut - $15
• Boy’s haircut - $12
• Men’s shave - $5
• Men’s edge-up - $5
• Shampoo - $4
• The Works (cut, shave, mustache trim) - $19
• Monthly Cut (clients come every two weeks for a month) - $25
• Monthly Cut (clients come every week for a month) - $60
• Shampoo and cut - $17
• Walk-in - $20

Kut Klose Barbershop, 1433 Grand Avenue Parkway, Ste. 203, Pflugerville, TX 78660, 512-252-9260

Impact Pflugerville - May 2007

Monday, 07 May 2007 00:00

1. New city employer

Farmers Insurance Group of Companies is expanding and moving a call center to 15770 Grand Avenue Parkway. The Service Center will be the second ServicePoint operation in the U.S. For more information about employment opportunities, visit www.farmers.com.

2. Used book sale

Friends of the Pflugerville Community Library will hold its bi-annual Used Book Sale May 3-5 in the Joanne Thornton Conference Room of the library, 102 10th St. Proceeds from the sale will be used to support programs at the Library and purchase new books and materials for use by the patrons. The sale has been extended to three days: Thursday, May 3, 2 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Friday, May 4, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; and Saturday, May 5, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Donations may be delivered to the Pflugerville Community Library during regular hours. For more information about the Friends, including how to join and volunteer, visit www.friendsofpflugervillecommunitylibrary.org.

3. Skating rink expansion

Chaparral Ice at 14200 IH 35 plans to complete the newest addition of their skating rink by the last week of May. For more information about programs, including youth and adult hockey, figure skating and non-ice related summer camps, call 252-8500.

4. Comic book shop

Ninja Pirate will celebrate its grand opening May 5 by giving away free comic books, after hosting a ribbon cutting May 3 at noon. The store at 100 S. 12th St., Ste. 105 sells comic books, graphic novels, science fiction and fantasy, anime and manga, role-playing games, miniatures and card and board games. For more information, visit www.ninjapirateland.com or call 251-0110.

5. Bar and grill

The Water Tank Bar and Grill opens May 7 and will follow with a ribbon cutting May 10 at 11 a.m. at 15821 Central Commerce. Entertainment includes karaoke, live music and games in a bar and grill venue. For more information, call 331-9831.

6. Deutschen Pfest

The city will host the 32nd annual Deutschen Pfest May 18-20 at Pfluger Park. A carnival will be featured in the park, along with arts and crafts booths, food, live entertainment on mutiple stages and a rock climbing wall.

Free parking and shuttle service are available all weekend at Pflugerville High School and Brookhollow Elementary School. No parking is available at the park.

May 18 - 5:30 p.m. to midnight. Cost is $3 per person.

May 19 - 10:30 a.m. to midnight. Cost is $4 per person.

• 10:45 a.m. - Children’s Parade
• 11 a.m. - Parade

May 20 - 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is $3 per person.

• Annual 5K Pfun Run and Walk\Kids K
  • 8 a.m. - Pfun Run, cost is $20.
  • 9 a.m. - Kids K, cost is $20.

Other Activities:

• Third Annual Deutschen Pfest 30k Bike Tour - May 12 at 8 a.m. The course starts at Lake Pflugerville. Cost is $20.
• Deutschen Pfest Coloring Contest - Applications are available at the Pflugerville Dairy Queen and the Pflugerville Recreation Center. The overall contest winner will be “Mayor” and Children’s Parade Marshall May 19.

For more information, visit www.cityofpflugerville.com or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

News or questions about Pflugerville? E-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Bob Bennett

By Christi Snow Monday, 07 May 2007 00:00

When Bob Bennett came to visit his friend who was city manager of a small town called Round Rock, he was less than impressed.

“I felt so sorry for him,” he said. “It was like being in Siberia. There was no traffic.”

Still, it was not long until Bennett was convinced to leave his position as a Houston city planner and move to the town with a population of less than 4,000.

In 1976, Bennett started as a city planner in Round Rock. Almost 30 years later, he ended his career as city manager of a community that now has nearly 90,000 residents. Under his watch, Round Rock became home to Dell Inc., Old Settlers Park, Dell Diamond and St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center.

Yet he is quick to attribute the city’s explosive growth to the city council and his fellow city employees. His predecessor, Jim Hislop, had a vision of Round Rock that at the time seemed improbable.

“I thought he was out of his mind,” Bennett said. “He would try to take me to the fields and show me what he saw. We spent a day digging out of the mud when he was trying to show me his future city—but it all came true.”

Innovative approach to growth

It quickly became apparent to Bennett that the city of farmers did not have the infrastructure in place—or the resources to build the infrastructure—that would handle the spillover coming from Austin. So when the city staff could not finance something from the budget, they tried to find reasons for someone else to fund it.

“The story really has never been told,” Bennett said. “There were so many creative things that were done to sustain growth.”

To get the city’s first hospital, St. David’s Medical Center, Bennett and his colleagues looked for a private non-profit entity that would finance the project. At the time, most cities avoided the process because of the challenges of working with the Texas Health Commission for a permit or license. At first, their application was denied, but Round Rock litigated the case and won.

He also remembers how the city encouraged developers to build most of the community’s parks with prime land as an amenity to a project—rather than using the cheapest and less workable property, which was the typical practice.

That is also how they built the city’s first golf course that would draw high-end real estate growth from the west side of Austin. Developers donated the land, with the city adding 15 acres. A wealthy tax base moved to the area, as a result, which justified the money invested.

The Forest Creek Golf Club community had just been developed when some secretive representatives of an unnamed technology company came to visit Bennett and some of his colleagues. They wanted to research the possibility of moving to the pro-business city, but were not ready to reveal their identity.

Bennett sent his son Brooks, who liked to hang around the office, to write down the men’s license plate. He tracked the information to Minnesota and thought the men worked for 3M. They were actually from Dell Computers, a company that would redefine Round Rock’s economy.

A place to stay

When he began working in Round Rock, Bennett remembers the council envisioned creating a community where children could grow up, find jobs and stay.

“It is a goal we realized,” he said.

His own son, Brooks, works in the city’s communications department. While his daughter has left for now, Bennett expects she will move back. Even as children they never wanted to stay away too long from their parents’ downtown house, where Bennett and his wife still live.

“They would say, ‘We’ve got to get back to the Rock,” he said. “That’s how I feel. Things ain’t right until you get back to the Rock.”

It was not easy to convince Bennett he should move to Round Rock in the ‘70s.

“Now you couldn’t move me out of here with dynamite,” he said.

Becoming a city

By Pamela Stephenson Monday, 07 May 2007 00:00

In the early 1960s, Austin began an aggressive annexation to the north with the plan to add the Pflugerville community. Pflugerville citizens wanted to retain their identity, so a group of business leaders, including I.B. Krienke, W. E. Pfluger and Burwell “Tuff” Knebel, drew up a plan to incorporate the town, which the community did in June 1965. At the same time, I.B. Krienke was elected the first mayor of the new commission form of government, calling for a mayor and two commissioners. Pfluger and Knebel were elected as the first commissioners.

Clarence Bohls, elected a commissioner in 1970, and later as an alderman when the city voted again to change its form of government, remembers sitting around a table with four metal chairs in a back room of the First State Bank, where the council met once a month to conduct city business. Bohls also served as mayor from 1976-1981.

Council meets developers’ needs

By the 1970s, the council wanted to own the water system and approached Otto Pfluger, who owned the waterworks at the time. Bohls said he negotiated a purchase price of $40,000, with a promise from the city council to provide Pfluger with free water as long as he and his wife lived in their home.

Later the administration decided that the city would need a wastewater system. With a discharge permit from the State and grant money from the federal government, the voters passed a bond issue to build the city’s first sewer plant and start a park system. Once developers heard that the city had a sewer plant, they began buying the farms to build subdivisions.

“The council wrote subdivision ordinances and zoning ordinances and did central planning to get off to the right start,” Bohls said.

Bohls felt the recovery or impact fees were on the high side, but said the $2,500 capital recovery fee and $2,000 tap fee charged for each house were accepted by the developers, who lined up to pay their fees. In one year, the city collected $1.25 million to pay for the sewer plants and the water works, making the growth pay for itself.

Then Nash Phillips Copus (NPC) came to Mr. Bohls informing him that they had purchased enough land south of the city to build 4,000-5,000 homes. NPC wanted a guarantee that the homes would be serviced with water and sewer.

After long sessions with the developers and city engineers, Bohls told NPC that if the developer would give the city enough money to build the utilities needed, the city would guarantee the services. NPC agreed and the three million gallon-a-day central wastewater plant was built for about 10 cents on the dollar. The $6 million investment for the plant and land cost the city about $870,000. The plant is still in operation today.

Building for the future

“Council members of the 1970s and 1980s were really proud that they were building for the future, not just the present,” Bohls said during a recent interview for the Pflugerville Oral History Project. Growth since the 1980s has been rapid, developing from a population of 745 to more than 4,500 by 1990 and more than 28,000 by 2005.

For more information about Pflugerville’s history, Pflugerville: A Heritage to Remember, is available for $15 at the Pflugerville library, 102 Tenth St.

Citizen involvement opportunities

Monday, 07 May 2007 00:00

Service Organizations:

Pflugerville

• Pflugerville Lions Club, 251-5466
• Rotary Club of Pflugerville, 251-5989
• Pflugerville Education Foundation, 594-0028
• Pflugerville Downtown Association, 251-8869
• Pflugerville Library Board, meets second Wednesday of each month, Pflugerville Community Library, 102 10th St.
• Friends of the Pflugerville Community Library, www.friendsofpflugervillecommunitylibrary.org

Round Rock

• Chaparral Women’s Club, 784-3183, www.rrchaps.org
• Frontier Days Corporation, 423-1026
• Greater Round Rock Community Foundation, 255-5805, www.rrcommunityfoundation.org
• Literacy Council of Williamson County, 244-8445, www.literacycouncil-wc.org
• Round Rock El Amistad Club, 238-8547, www.elamistad club.com
• Round Rock ISD Education Foundation, 464-5093, www.rrisdeducationfoundation.org
• Round Rock Noon Sertoma Club, www.noonsertoma.org
• Round Rock Sertoma Club, www.rrsertoma.org
• Nolan Ryan Foundation, 388-1134, www.nolanryanfoundation.org
• Knights of Columbus, #10373, 251-9838, www.kofc10373.org
• Friends of the Round Rock Library, 218-7000

City Involvement:

Pflugerville

• PF4, Pfriends for Pflugerville’s Pfuture, 990-4363, www.pf4.us
• Pflugerville Planning and Zoning, meets first and third Monday of each month, City Hall, 100 E. Main St., Ste. 500, 7 p.m.
• Pflugerville Board of Adjustment, meets fourth Wednesday of each month, City Hall, 100 E. Main St., Ste. 500, 7 p.m.
• Pflugerville Parks and Recreation Commission, meets third Thursday of each month, City Hall, 100 E. Main St., Ste. 500, 7 p.m.
• Architectural Review Board, meets fourth Monday of each month, City Hall, 100 E. Main St., Ste. 500, 6:30 p.m.
• Pflugerville City Council, meets second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, community room, City Hall, 100 E. Main St., Ste. 500, 7:30 p.m.
• PfCONA, Pflugerville Council of Neighborhood Associations meets every second Monday at 7 p.m. in the Justice Center, 1611 E. Pfennig Lane.

Round Rock

• Leadership Round Rock, sponsored the Chamber of Commerce, 255-5805
• Momentum, economic development, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, 255-5805
• Round Rock Planning and Zoning, meets approximately every five to six weeks, contact Planning Department at 671-2727
• Round Rock Community Development Advisory Commission, typically meets first Thursday of the month, quarterly, City Council Chambers at City Hall, 221 E. Main St., 6:30 p.m.
• Round Rock City Council, meets second and fourth Thursday of each month, City Hall, 221 E. Main St., 7:00 p.m.

TV Coverage:

• Pflugerville Council meetings are televised live on Sudden-link Cable Channel 10. Also televised at 7 p.m., Wednesday following the meetings and 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday and Sunday.
• Video tapes of Pflugerville Council meetings are available online and at the Pflugerville Community Library two to three weeks following the meetings.
• Round Rock Council meetings are televised live on Time Warner Cable Channel 10. Also televised at 7 p.m. Sunday and Wednesday and 4 p.m. Saturday.